'It's an honor': Seattle SuperSonics great Lenny Wilkens to have road named after him
Leonard Randolph Wilkens paved the road for so many people, so perhaps it's fitting he'll now have a Seattle street named after him.
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Wilkens raised his children with his wife Marilyn in the Seattle-area, while trying to help other children as well. He became the biggest fundraiser and supporter of the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic in Seattle's Central District, helping to single-handily raise millions for the clinic which provides health care to families in need.
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His philanthropic and civic ventures set him apart from just another former basketball player in the community. Wilkens has inspired others, such as NBA player Jamal Crawford, to give time and money for various community organizations. Wilkens standing also brought stars of stage, screen, and sport back to the community for philanthropic endeavors.
Those efforts, when combined with his on-the-court accomplishments, stood out to Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, a noted basketball fan herself. A couple of years ago, she floated legislation to rename the stretch of road outside Climate Pledge Arena after the former coach. The council approved it earlier this year.
On Thursday, Oct. 28, Durkan, along with former Sonics and local leaders, will gather on the road formerly known as Thomas Street to dedicate the space near where Wilkens played and coached. It will be a birthday celebration of sorts for the former Sonics leader, who will be 84 years old.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/it-s-an-honor-seattle-supersonics-great-lenny-wilkens-to-have-road-named-after-him/ar-AAQ1J2l